WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Robert Lee Payton, age 49, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, March 10, 2014, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
He was born May 7, 1964, in LaGrange, Ind., a son of David Lee and Nellie (Singleton) Payton.
Robert had resided in Sturgis most of his life. On Aug. 18, 2007, he married Michele Akers in Sturgis.
He had been employed as a forklift operator and enjoyed being outdoors, playing horseshoes and volleyball, listening to music and was a devoted Detroit Lions fan.
Surviving are wife: Michele; two sons, Robert Schwartz of Three Rivers and Chandler Payton of Sturgis; two stepsons, Lee Maracle of Sturgis and Royce Slater of Grand Rapids; a stepdaughter, Audrey (Christopher) Townes of Kalamazoo; grandchildren; his mother, Nellie Payton of Sturgis; a brother, David “Dewy” (Dora) Payton of Sturgis; two sisters, Sherry (Kevin) Brueck and Tonya Hopkins, both of Sturgis; and two stepsisters, Debbie Badders and Tammy Smith.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 3-6 p.m. Thursday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis, and also noon-2 p.m. Friday.
Services celebrating the life of Robert Lee Payton will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Pastor Steve Wisler, Community Bible Church, officiating.
Interment and graveside services will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family to help with expenses. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
